It wasn’t so much that the Red Sox started the 2013 season Monday with a victory in Yankee Stadium, it was the way they did it. If new manager John Farrell was predisposed to hand out gold stars after a win, he would have needed a pocketful. A whole bunch of guys had a hand (or a bat) in the outcome. It was a T-E-A-M win, which is the best kind. Everybody earned their paycheck.

The final was 8-2 and only a handful of Yankee fans bothered to stick around until the end.

Starting pitcher Jon Lester did just enough by going five innings, and five relievers were basically flawless. "It was awesome. Those guys did a great job," said Lester who is a bit of a Yankee killer (10 wins).

"(Lester) bent, but didn’t break," said Farrell. Of course, the last time we saw the Red Sox they were breaking into splinters all over the field. That only lasted the entire 2012 season. Those Red Sox turned out to be the most unlikable Boston team anyone could remember. Fans couldn’t wait until this season started.

Now, they didn’t exactly spoil us on Opening Day, but the way everybody in the lineup did something positive was the mustard on the hot dog. "A lot of guys contributed," said Farrell.

OK, let’s get the Jackie Bradley Jr. business out of the way first. The much ballyhooed lefthanded swinging rookie, making the jump from Double A ball, didn’t have a hit. He did coax three walks, and if a walk could ever be considered impressive, Bradley’s first one, in his baptismal big-league at bat, qualified. He was down in the count 0-2 against the formidable southpaw CC Sabathia. If you expected the kid to be anxious and jump out of his spikes on the next pitch, he did not. He waited Sabathia out and the walk inspired a four-run rally. "He showed patience and maturity at the plate," said Farrell.

Bradley also made a terrific catch in left field, which isn’t even his comfort zone position. Centerfield is. He may not be the next great thing, but he’ll be fun to watch.

It was a nothing-not-to-like game from a Boston view. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and knocked in a pair of runs. Shane Victorino had three RBI. Light-hitting Jose Iglesias had three hits. Jonny Gomes chipped in at bat. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was on base three times.

Most of the experts are picking the Red Sox and Yankees, once rulers of the AL East, to finish last or next to last. No rash judgments will be made off one game, but it had been a long time since Red Sox fans could care about something. Monday was finally that day. Better yet, they can savor it another day. Today’s an off day.

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The Red Sox didn’t miss David Ortiz’s bat. Big Papi was with the team playing role of cheerleader before he heads back to Florida to get in shape and hope he can kick up his heels again, literally. The Yankees are in worse shape. They have four starting position players out, three of them with Hall of Fame potential. And, yes, old friend Kevin Youkilis doesn’t look right in pinstripes. Youk has been shorn of his facial hair. He looks so …. pale. He did help the Red Sox by striking out in a critical moment.

The Red Sox are praying their pitchers hold up. Lester, Clay Buchholz and John Lackey have to be solid. Hard to tell just how much the Red Sox will hit. They can’t count on getting eight walks every game.

There is pressure on this team, from the suits to the players, to make it fun to return to Fenway Park.

One game, plenty of smiles. "A lot of good things took place," said Farrell. "Well played all around." And Bradley? "Not a bad way to start his career."

Lester, who mostly talks about pitching, was asked about the lineup. "We had good at bats, professional at bats. One through nine. Great day."